Clynelish 17 Years Old 1983 Dun Bheagan (Ian Macleod)

A Clynelish of a 17 year old chosen by the bottler Ian Macleod, distilled in 1983, bottled at 43%. Clynelish stands on the North Sea coast at Brora, the modern neighbour of the lost Brora distillery. Most of its make goes to blending, with a fourteen year old the flagship single malt.

It was distilled for the waxy, oily spirit Clynelish is known for, for the famous waxy texture at its heart. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the wax. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, lemon turning to candied orange over a thick, oily wax. Clynelish wax and a maritime salt run through the maturing spirit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, citrussy core over the years. Clynelish sits on the North Sea coast at Brora, in the far north east of the Highlands. Two old Brora warehouses still stand on the site, a link to its silent neighbour.

At an approachable 43% it is balanced. Candle wax, tangerine and a maritime lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is waxy and citrussy, the oily spirit shining through. The finish is deep, waxy and maritime. This is the waxy heart of Johnnie Walker Gold.